Ireland Under-20s Advance To Semi-Finals As Pool Winners

The Ireland Under-20s (sponsored by PwC) are through to their first World Rugby U-20 Championship semi-final since 2016 after beating Fiji 47-27 in Stellenbosch.

2023 WORLD RUGBY UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP – POOL B:

Tuesday, July 4 –

IRELAND UNDER-20s 47 FIJI UNDER-20s 27, Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Brian Gleeson 2, Danny Sheahan, George Hadden, Gus McCarthy 2, Andrew Osborne; Cons: Matthew Lynch 3, Sam Prendergast 3
Fiji: Tries: Moses McGoon, Isaiah Ravula, Moti Murray, Pateresio Finau, Manieta Navonovono; Con: Isaiah Ravula
HT: Ireland 26 Fiji 12

Showing immense character given the tragic circumstances of recent days, Richie Murphy’s side scored seven tries – including braces from Brian Gleeson and Gus McCarthy – to claim a bonus point win.

While disappointed to concede five tries and struggle to win their own lineout, Ireland will advance to the weekend’s semi-finals as Pool B winners following the 22-all draw between Australia and England.

Following the completion of the pool stages, it has been confirmed that the Under-20 Six Nations Grand Slam champions will play tournament hosts South Africa in Sunday’s opening semi-final at Cape Town’s Athlone Sports Stadium (kick-off 4.30pm local time/3.30pm Irish time).

Pool A winners France will meet England, the best runners-up, in the other last-four clash, with the final scheduled for the same venue on Friday week (July 14) (kick-off 7pm local time/6pm Irish time).

Number 8 Gleeson touched down twice as Ireland led Fiji by a 26-12 margin at half-time. Debutants Sam Berman and Dan Barron, along with scrum half Oscar Cawley, turned in workmanlike performances.

Despite the Fijians closing the gap to four points, Ireland made certain of their five-point haul thanks to McCarthy’s double and a rampaging run in under the posts from Andrew Osborne.

Importantly, there was some decent game-time for members of the wider squad, a number of whom are eligible again for next season. Garryowen’s Max Clein got on to win his first Ireland U-20 cap during the final quarter.

Speaking in the aftermath, head coach Murphy said: “I am extremely proud of the group. Last night we weren’t quite sure what was going to happen and whether we were going to play the game or not.

“I thought the guys came together really well today and really fronted up in what was the most incredible circumstance that I’ve ever experienced in 20 years of coaching.

“I have never experienced anything like this. So I’m really proud of the boys, we are in a semi-final so we have got a lot to look forward to.”

The final day of the pool stages was hugely emotional for the Ireland U-20s, following the heart-breaking death of scrum half Jack Oliver’s father Greig in a paragliding accident in Cape Town yesterday.

Jack’s place on the bench was taken by Paddy McCarthy, while the group has also been rallying around the St. Michael’s College contingent who are mourning the shocking deaths of their schoolmates, Andrew O’Donnell and Max Wall, on holiday in Greece.

Ireland wore black armbands and a moment’s silence was observed before the anthems were played. In a wonderful gesture before their Cibi, Fiji captain Moti Murray presented a jersey to Diarmuid Mangan, Ireland’s stand-in skipper, as a mark of respect.

More to follow…

TIME LINE: 7 minutes – Ireland try: Brian Gleeson – 5-0; conversion: Matthew Lynch – 7-0; 11 mins – Ireland try: Danny Sheahan – 12-0; conversion: missed by Matthew Lynch – 12-0; 15 mins – Fiji try: Moses McGoon – 12-5; conversion: Isaiah Ravula – 12-7; 21 mins – Ireland try: George Hadden – 17-7; conversion: Matthew Lynch – 19-7; 34 mins – Ireland try: Brian Gleeson – 24-7; conversion: Matthew Lynch – 26-7; 39 mins – Fiji try: Isaiah Ravula – 26-12; conversion: missed by Isaiah Ravula – 26-12; Half-time – Ireland 26 Fiji 12; 42 mins – Fiji try: Moti Murray – 26-17; conversion: missed by Isaiah Ravula – 26-17; 49 mins – Fiji try: Pateresio Finau – 26-22; conversion: missed by Isaiah Ravula – 26-22; 56 mins – Ireland try: Gus McCarthy – 31-22; conversion: Sam Prendergast – 33-22; 67 mins – Ireland try: Andrew Osborne – 38-22; conversion: Sam Prendergast – 40-22; 76 mins – Fiji yellow card: Sireli Masiwini; 77 mins – Ireland try: Gus McCarthy – 45-22; conversion: Sam Prendergast – 47-22; 80+1 mins – Fiji try: Manieta Navonovono – 47-27; conversion: missed by Frank Ralogaivau – 47-27; Full-time – Ireland 47 Fiji 27

IRELAND U-20: Henry McErlean (Terenure College RFC/Leinster); James Nicholson (UCD RFC/Leinster), Sam Berman (Dublin University FC/Leinster), John Devine (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster); Matthew Lynch (Dublin University FC/Leinster), Oscar Cawley (Naas RFC/Leinster); George Hadden (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Danny Sheahan (UCC RFC/Munster), Fiachna Barrett (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Joe Hopes (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Diarmuid Mangan (UCD RFC/Leinster) (capt), Dan Barron (Dublin University FC/Leinster), Brian Gleeson (Garryowen FC/Munster).

Replacements used: Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster) for McErlean (50 mins), Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC/Leinster) for Sheahan, Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster) for Hadden, Ronan Foxe (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) for Barrett, Charlie Irvine (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster) for Gleeson (all 53), Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht) for Devine (61), Max Clein (Garryowen FC/Munster) for Barron (69). Not used: George Morris (Lansdowne FC/Leinster).

FIJI U-20: Peni Waqalala (Nadi); Sireli Masiwini (Fiji HPU), Waqa Nalaga (Hurricanes), Pateresio Finau (Fiji HPU), Manieta Navonovono (Fiji HPU); Isaiah Ravula (Hurricanes), Philip Baselala (Fijian Drua); Moses McGoon (Crusaders), Joeli Nainoca (Fiji HPU), Breyton Legge (Fiji HPU), Mesake Vocevoce (Fiji HPU), Nalani May (Fiji HPU), Timoci Nakalevu (Fiji HPU), Moti Murray (Fijian Drua) (capt), Juda Saumaisue (Melbourne).

Replacements used: Frank Ralogaivau (Brisbane) for Finau (62 mins), Josh Kina (Fiji HPU) for Nainoca, Semi Tokitani (Fiji HPU) for May (both 66), Marika Toga (Nadi) for McGoon, Lasaro Vuluma (Fiji HPU) (both 71), Zach Kama (Hamilton) for Nalaga, Netava Saukuru (Fiji Schools) for Wagalala (both 73), Sakenasa Nalasi (Fiji HPU) for Nakalevu (75).

Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa)